Littlest Love

We are so so SO excited to announce that the newest member of our family will be arriving in January 2013 (or maybe December!)  Eli has the sweetest heart and we constantly say what a great baby he is, so I know he is going to transition into an amazing brother.  I know some days will be hard, as they will only be 16-17 months apart, but I am so excited for the days ahead.  They will be best friends- going through life events around the same time.. I can NOT wait!! 

9 months!

This is a little old since he'll be 10 months next week.. but I wanted to create a gift (accordion albums) for  Eli's grandmothers for Mother's day and had to keep the pictures under wraps until they arrived and were delivered-- and then I forgot to post the pictures/stats!

At 9 months Eli weighs 23 pounds and is 30" long.

It seems new teeth pop up every day and right now he's working on #s 7 & 8. 

He is down to one nap a day (typically) but it's usually 2 hours so i'll take it!

Some days he'll have two 1 hour naps

He is eating pretty much everything we do - I don't think he has a favorite .. he just likes to eat!

We still use a paci, but only for sleeping.  Hoping to stop that by 12 months.

He says mama, daddy & nana (I think that's supposed to be Sadie, our dog)

He crawls like a champ, stands (not alone yet but on furniture & with toys), and can walk with your hands or with toys. 

Loves climbing up the stairs

Bath time is his favorite activity-- he gets so excited! 

Eli, 

We cannot remember what we did without you.  Your personality is so fun- everyone says you are the happiest baby and I agree.  You hardly ever cry.  You are very expressive- scrunching your nose and breathing funny is my favorite thing you do.  You also tighten your fists and make a funny noise.  Both of those things can happen if you're happy or a little upset at something we do.  (like wipe your face, you do not like that! but we've learned if we give you a wipe you don't hate it so much) You are curious about people and love watching them.  You have conversations with us and I know you know what you're saying, and I cannot wait until we do too.  You are my little sidekick and I love spending our days together.  You are the best son a mother could ask for! I love you sweet boy.

Love,

Mommy

Park day

It is no secret that I am 100% addicted to instagram. (follow me! @meggarrison)  I post multiple pictures a day and most of the time they all are of this cutie.  We have so much fun together and the iPhone is the best way to document our day-to-day.  I like that these aren't perfect. Professionally these photos (coloring, contrast, DOF, everything!) would make my cringe... but personally.. I love documenting his life with the iPhone.  We've been to the part twice and this was our first time going just the two of us.  I think it will have to be a weekly (if not a few times a week!) thing for us.  The pool opens this weekend so we will also have to add that to our list! 

The biting game

Over the past few weeks Eli has begun biting.  The kid is working on his 7 & 8th tooth..so he's got some chompers to work with in there!  It takes you completely by surprise and it HURTS!! So far he has only bitten me.  I've been waiting for the day that he got David.  I scream every time and David would give me the "really?" look -- I knew the day would come when David would get bitten and then I could be like, "see!! I told you it hurt!!" Can I just say I am happy that I was in the room when it happened.  I know that's terrible, and in my mind I may have jumped up and down and danced.  And I think Eli got David way better than he's gotten me...these teeth marks lasted for a good 10 minutes! 

p.s. how do you teach a 9 month old not to bite? 

Not the easiest thing in the world!

Sleeping Problem.

I pride myself on being able to fall asleep anywhere, anytime.  

That is -- until I had a baby.

It's not that Eli is keeping me up (well most nights)

He's been sleeping through the night since 4 months old

I have this mommy insomnia problem.

Will it go away?  I'm not sure why I can't sleep..I just know that I'm not.

If I wake up in the middle of the night I'll be up for about an hour. Just laying there.

Most of the time I talk to David (and you know he loves that!) or I'll tell him about the dream I just had.

Hopefully this is just a phase and I'll be back to sleeping normal again in no time.

Because under eye bags don't look pretty.

And because I don't look cute when I sleep..here's someone who does..